Mission San Jose Little League Senior all stars, from District 14 (Fremont and Newark), now representing all of Section 3, dropped its first game of the Divisional Tournament (Nor Cal Championship) to Rocklin (Section 4), 12-2.

Rocklin got off to a fast start by scoring five first-inning runs. MSJLL hurler Brandon Facha pitched in bad luck as it appeared he had pitched out of a bases-loaded jam but a nicely-placed curve ball was called ball four instead of strike three which would have ended the first inning with only two runs scoring. Rocklin's next batter hit a groundball that scooted just under shortstop Kenny Jacoby's glove which allowed Section 4's third and fourth runs of the inning to score. Facha toughened up to close down the Rocklin bats until he was relieved by Brandon Fuhs.

In the meantime, MSJLL mounted a rally in the top of the fourth that had all of the makings of a breakout inning. Devon Jones and Reid Marion had key hits during the inning which saw MSJLL cut Rocklin's lead to 5-2. But with the bases loaded and two outs, Mission was not able to come up with the big hit to get themselves back in the game. Rocklin answered right back scoring four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to put the game out of reach.

MSJLL had runners in scoring position in all but one inning (twice loading the bases) but could not come up with the big hit to put them back into the game. Jeff Chu had two line drive hits for MSJLL and made the catch of the day with a full sprint running catch in deep centerfield. Jones and Marion also had two hits for MSJLL.

The MSJLL Senior all-stars next played on Monday, July 25, in a must-win game in this double-elimination tournament. Results were unavailable at press; to find out if MSJ staved off elimination, log onto http://sports.tricityvoice.com.